Bright Fire
CHAPTER FOURTEEN

"DID I hear that right? And where are you going, hmm?"

"I have always admired you since I was young. Back then, I wanted to become just like you, but it seemed like you did not want me to. I tried to be as obedient as I could because I wanted to please you. I wanted to make you proud. I wanted you to love me. But I realized, no matter what I do, I'll never be enough for you... that I never made you proud."

Clara took a deep breath as she fought back the tears that welled up her eyes.

"I could not be honest about my true feelings. I could not tell you what I wanted to become. I will be forever grateful that you gave me everything, but still, I feel empty. I let you dictate my life because I thought that's how I was supposed to repay the things you gave me. I would not be here if not because of you."

"What is this bullshit, Clara?" Aunt Carlota laughed blandly. She already looked confused and uncomfortable.

"It breaks my heart to stand here in front of you and say all these things." A tear fell from her eye, but she did not bother wiping it. "I can't do what you asked of me anymore. Josef is a nice person, and he does not deserve this. I don't want to date him for your own satisfaction."

Aunt Carlota stood up harshly. Anger flickered her eyes.

"So, you don't want to obey me now? What happened to my obedient and submissive niece?"

"I don't know. All I know is that I should have done this before. When you were away, I snuck out and slept with a man I barely knew. The other day I found out I was carrying his child." Aunt Carlota froze.

"I'm sorry, Auntie. But I don't regret what I did. This child is going to bring me another purpose in life. I may have to start all over again, but it does not matter anymore. I'm stronger than I think. I have a family that I can always return to." "Y-you selfish, ungrateful bitch!" She clenched her fist.

"You can call me that. I guess I deserve those names. But I love you, Auntie. I hope one day, you'll find it in your heart to accept that I have my own life to live and forgive me for disappointing you. I tried my best. I'm sorry. I just could not be enough." Clara fished her car keys and cards from her bag. "These were all from you. I am not worthy of them anymore." She put them on the table. "I came to your life without anything. Now I'm leaving the same way. "A-Auntie... I hope you find the love you deserve." She sniffed and drew a breath. "You're still the strongest woman I know. My love for you will never change. When we meet again, I hope you have forgiven me." Clara turned her back and walked out of the room as more tears flowed. She did not hear anything from Aunt Carlota until the door closed. She walked hurriedly to the elevator. She did not care if she was stealing attention. It crushed her heart to think that things will never be the same between her and Aunt Carlota anymore. Clara had to hurt her to set herself free. It was for the better.

When she went back inside the elevator, she fished for a handkerchief inside her bag but failed. She wiped her face with the back of her hand and jumped when someone handed her a clean one.

When she looked up, Baron's stern face welcomed her. The elevator closed, and she realized there were only the two of them.

"Take it. It's clean," he said.

"T-thank you." She accepted it and wiped her eyes.

"I heard everything; that's why I followed you."

Clara only stared. She did not know what to say.

"Do you know why Carlota wanted to marry you into the Del Mar Family?"

"I-it's for business," she replied.

"That's the only thing she told you."

"W-what do you mean?"

"Julian del Mar was her first love. She used to date him when they were younger. They broke up because Julian could not handle her. Your aunt was ambitious and competitive. That was something he could not understand because he was born with a golden spoon in his mouth. He married Seferina shortly after meeting her. Your aunt was heartbroken. She did not know she was pregnant with Julian's child and had a miscarriage. The doctors told her she could never bear a child ever again."

Baron looked tough on the outside, but Clara could not deny how he cared for her aunt.

"I-I did not know the first love she was referring to all this time was Josef's father..."

"She thought that by setting you up with Josef, she could still have the family she dreamt of building with Julian."

"So, that's it. That's the reason why I feel like I was never good enough for her. It was not me she wanted in the first place."

"Please don't hate Carlota, Clara. She fell in love, broke her heart, and time hasn't mended her heart yet. I'm sorry this had to happen to the two of you, but I admire you for doing the right thing. Your aunt loves you. She was just having a hard time showing it."

"You're not going to leave her as Julian did, are you?"

Baron laughed weakly.

"To tell you the truth, our relationship is unconventional. But, yeah, you can count that I'll stay with her until the end."

"Thank you. At least, I'm relieved by the fact that someone will still look after."

"WHAT HAPPENED?" Josef asked. He came rushing to her as soon as they stepped into the lobby.

Clara turned to Baron and smiled.

"I'm okay now. Thank you very much. Go back to my aunt. I know she needs you."

Baron nodded and smiled at them before going back to the elevator.

"You look worse. Are you all right?"

"I'm fine, Josef. I have already poured my heart out. And you know what I found out? Aunt Carlota and your father had a past." "What?" Josef stopped and stared.

"That's the reason why we are all in this mess. I'll tell you everything on our way home. Since I don't have a car anymore, you have no choice but to drive for me today."

IT TOOK Carlota a while to recover after that unexpected revelation from Clara. For the first time ever since she took her in, Clara defied her. Her innocent-looking submissive niece got pregnant by a man she just met. How ridiculous was that? Carlota found herself bursting into the corridor, furious and clenching her fist. Clara must be out of her mind. She had never done this before. She should slap her hard if that would make her obedient again. She could not just let Clara ruin her plans. That was the very reason she took that pathetic woman in.

Baron appeared from the elevator. He gave her a blank stare as he grabbed her arm.

"Get out of my way!"

"Let her go. Your niece is not a robot."

"Oh, yeah?" she uttered in a mocking tone. "Get out of my way."

"You are a selfish bitch, but she loved you."

Carlota was taken aback.

"H-how dare you!" She tried to pull her arm, but Baron won't let her go. "Let go of me! We were not done yet!"

"Clara was already done with you."

Carlota screamed as Baron pulled her up and carried him on his shoulders like she was a sack of rice. He walked back to her office.

"Put me down, bastard!" Carlota screamed.

Her employees were all looking in her direction without saying anything. They were too scared, of course. But Baron was stubborn and unbothered. He shut the door close and dropped her on the sofa bed.

He pulled her hands up and mounted her to stop her from escaping. Carlota was panting as blood pounded in her ears.

"Get away from me!"

She tried to kick him, but she did not succeed because he was too strong, and she was trapped beneath him.

"We're not moving from this position until you calm down," he said.

"In your dreams"

Baron silenced her by claiming her mouth in a hot, ravishing kiss. Carlota moaned in protest, but she could barely do anything. "I'M SORRY."

Carlota pretended she did not hear anything and finished buttoning her blouse. She knew he was not sorry for what they just did. He did not rape her. They had sex inside her office even though she was mad at him. The orgasm was something else.

Baron was sorry for meddling with Clara and her. But she doubted it if he really meant it.

She could not attend the meeting in that state. She needed a break. She stood up silently and grabbed her stuff. She had to go somewhere to unwind, or she would go crazy.

"I'M SO proud of you." Rosa cupped her cheeks, teary-eyed.

Clara went home to pack her stuff, and it did not take her long.

"Thank you, Rosa. And I'm going to miss you."

"Will you be all right?"

"Josef is there. He'll take care of his cousin and me."

"That's good to hear. Good luck on your journey. I will always pray for you. See you soon."

"See you soon." She hugged Rosa tight. "Thank you for being there for me, Rosa."

When she pulled away, Clara roamed her eyes around the place that had been her home for the past decade. She could only hope to return with a light heart and peace of mind someday. "JOSEF, this is not the way to the airport," Clara said as she looked behind the car.

Josef was about to turn to the next road, but he drove straight instead.

The day was not over yet, but Clara already felt exhausted. She knew Josef was tired, too. He was not just expressing it.

"Before you go home, you have to settle your issues with Uncle Fuego first," he said.

"I'm not ready yet."

"There's this famous movie line that goes like, 'Sometimes you have to take the first step even before you are ready.' I know you wanted to see him so bad. Now's the right time for that." "Josef..." Clara sighed as she leaned back on her seat.

"Besides, I need to confirm that he cheated on his girlfriend with you so I can punch him in the face."

"He's your uncle."

"And he's an asshole." Josef grinned from the rearview mirror.

Clara frowned.

"Your grandmother's not going to forgive me for this."

"Don't worry. I got you."

CARLOTA was driving without any particular destination in mind. She did not know how to release her frustration anymore. And she found herself crying. She did not know what her tears were for. She could not remember the last time she cried.

She pulled over beside the road and wiped her tears. How could Clara do that to her? She gave her everything!

She glanced at the dashboard when her phone rang. Julian's name was on the screen. She straightened her back. Carlota was surprised. She could not remember the last time Julian called her. It was always the other way around. Carlota would think of excuses so that she could talk to him over the phone, even for a minute.

She cleared her throat and glanced at her reflection in the rearview mirror before taking the call. She looked miserable.

"J-Julian."

"Carlota, hey. Um, did I disturb you?"

"N-no, not at all. My meeting got postponed this afternoon. It's all right."

"Oh, I'm glad to hear that. I just want to ask if you're free tonight. Would you mind going to dinner and a jazz concert with me?"

"A-a dinner and jazz concert?" Carlota was surprised. It sounded like a date. But she did not want to keep her hopes up. "I think that sounds great."

"All right. Should I pick you up or..."

"Just give me the address. I'll go there myself."

"Are you sure? Well, then, see you later at six?"

"See you."